United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Homeless Veteran Families Act This bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs per diem payment calculation for entities furnishing services to homeless veterans to include funding for a minor dependent. The rate for per diem payments is the daily cost of care as estimated by the grant recipient or eligible entity. This bill would expand the per diem payment amount for a homeless veteran who has care of a minor dependent to the daily cost of care plus, for each minor dependent, an amount that equals 50% of such daily cost of care.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Saving America’s Endangered Species Act or the SAVES Act This bill limits the protection of endangered and threatened species to species that are native to the United States, thus removing protection given to nonnative species in the United States that are listed as threatened or endangered.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Hearing Protection Act This bill removes silencers from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also treats persons acquiring or possessing a firearm silencer as meeting any registration and licensing requirements of such Act. The Department of Justice must destroy certain records relating to the registration, transfer, or making of a silencer. The bill also revises the definition of firearm silencer and firearm muffler under the federal criminal code and includes such items in the 10% excise tax category.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2019 This bill allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows individuals to carry concealed firearms. A qualified individual must (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid concealed carry permit issued by any state or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in his or her state of residence. Additionally, the bill specifies that a qualified individual who lawfully carries or possesses a concealed handgun in another state (1) is not subject to the federal prohibition on possessing a firearm in a school zone, and (2) may carry or possess the concealed handgun in federally owned lands that are open to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2019 This bill establishes requirements regarding audits of certain financial agencies performed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Specifically, the bill directs the GAO to complete, within 12 months, an audit of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks. In addition, the bill allows the GAO to audit the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks with respect to (1) international financial transactions; (2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters; (3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; and (4) discussions or communications among Federal Reserve officers, board members, and employees regarding any of these matters.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2018
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through FY2023. Prohibits provisions of the War Powers Resolution concerning congressional priority procedures from applying during the remainder of the 115th Congress to a concurrent resolution introduced with respect to Yemen.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2018
Expresses: (1) appreciation for the profound public service of former President George H.W. Bush, and (2) deep sympathy to the entire family of the former President.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2018
School Resource Officer Act of 2018 This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize through FY2022 the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program and modify it: to restore authority to make COPS grants for hiring and rehiring additional career law enforcement officers, and to specify that at least 30 percent of the amount made available for such grants must be used for school resource officers.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2018
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6784) to provide for removal of the gray wolf in the contiguous 48 States from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and providing for proceedings during the period from November 19, 2018, through November 26, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 Israel Road Southeast in Tumwater, Washington, as the "Eva G. Hewitt Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2018
Aluminum Pricing Examination Act or the APEX Act This bill authorizes the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to set reference prices for aluminum premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2018
Ensuring Coverage for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act This bill establishes provisions under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 relating to the guaranteed availability of health insurance coverage as well as prohibitions against discriminatory practices based on preexisting conditions or health status; the bill also prohibits related exclusions or limitations of benefits and establishes certain enforcement mechanisms.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2018
Homecare for Seniors Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow distributions from health savings accounts (HSAs) to be used for qualified home care. "Qualified home care" includes a contract to provide three or more of the following services in the residence of the service recipient: assistance with eating, assistance with toileting, assistance with transferring, assistance with bathing, assistance with dressing, assistance with continence, and medication adherence. The Department of Health and Human Services must carry out a campaign to increase public awareness of the in-home service expenses that are eligible for tax-free distribution from HSAs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should support protections in law for individuals with pre-existing conditions and, in the case of a court ruling that would hinder such protections, act swiftly to reinstate such protections.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2018
Manage our Wolves Act This bill addresses the protection of the gray wolf ( Canis lupus ) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Specifically, the Department of the Interior must issue a rule to remove the gray wolf in the contiguous 48 states from the list of endangered or threatened species and reinstate a rule that removed the gray wolf in the Western Great Lakes region from the list. The bill exempts those rules from judicial review as well as a rule that removed the gray wolf in Wyoming from the list.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2018
Retirement Freedom Act This bill allows an individual to opt out of Medicare hospital services benefits without also having to opt out of Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits and without having to repay Medicare hospital services benefits already received. The bill also allows an individual to opt back in with no penalty.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2018
This bill directs the Bureau of Reclamation to enter into an agreement with the Kennewick Irrigation District, located in Benton County, Washington, to convey to the district the canals, laterals, and appurtenant works and lands that begin at the district's head gate and extend approximately 40 miles east to the Columbia River.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4301 Northeast 4th Street in Renton, Washington, as the "James Marshall 'Jimi' Hendrix Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Sex Offender Registration and Victim Protection Act of 2018 This bill requires aliens who are registered sex offenders and are subject to removal to provide additional information for inclusion in the sex offender registry, including the alien's registration number, country of nationality, immigration status, and biometric information.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2018
Kerrie Orozco First Responders Family Support Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive the naturalization requirements of residence and physical presence for an alien who is the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen who dies from an injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by employment as a first responder. (A surviving spouse must have been living in marital union with the citizen spouse at the time of death.) The bill defines U.S. citizen and citizen spouse to include persons granted posthumous citizenship under this bill. The Department of Homeland Security shall, upon approval of a request for posthumous citizenship filed by the next-of-kin or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, provide such citizenship as of the time of death to an alien or noncitizen national who was employed as a first responder and died as a result of injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by such employment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2018
AG and Legal Workforce Act This bill establishes a new H-2C nonimmigrant visa for aliens coming temporarily to the United States to perform agricultural labor or services. In addition, the bill (1) directs the Department of Homeland Security to create an electronic employment-eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system, and (2) mandates the use of such a system by employers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Honoring Veterans' Families Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide inscriptions for deceased spouses and children on certain headstones furnished by the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 119) expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2018
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the U.S. Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the federal government and is not subject to privatization.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Providing ESA Timing Improvements That Increase Opportunities for Nonlisting Act of 2018 or the PETITION Act of 2018 This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to revise the process by which the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, reviews petitions to list a species on the endangered or threatened species list. Specifically, the bill establishes a process for the appropriate department to declare a petition backlog and discharge the petitions when there is a backlog.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Weigh Habitats Offsetting Locational Effects Act of 2018 or the WHOLE Act of 2018 This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to revise the process by which the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, reviews an agency action to determine whether the action is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat of the species. Specifically, the bill requires the appropriate department, when making such a determination, to consider the offsetting effects of protection or conservation measures that are already in place or proposed to be implemented as part of the action.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Ensuring Meaningful Petition Outreach While Enhancing Rights of States Act of 2018 or the EMPOWERS Act of 2018 This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to revise the process for listing, delisting, or reclassifying a species under the Act. Before submitting to the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, a petition to list a species as a threatened or endangered species, the petitioner must notify each county and state in which the species is located of the intent to submit a petition. Upon finding that the petition may be warranted, the appropriate department must solicit advice from each county and state in which the species is located. If a state or county advises that the listing is not warranted, then the appropriate department may not proceed with the listing unless the department demonstrates that the information submitted in support of the advice is incorrect and that the listing is warranted. The bill expands requirements regarding providing notice of a proposed regulation that determines whether a species is endangered or threatened, including by requiring the appropriate department to provide notice to each person who requests a notice. The appropriate department must justify a final regulation that conflicts with the advice of a state or county.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Localizing Authority of Management Plans Act of 2018 or the LAMP Act of 2018 This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) to revise requirements governing cooperative management agreements to manage areas established for the conservation of endangered or threatened species. Under current law, the agreements are between states and the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate. This bill allows the appropriate department to enter into: (1) agreements with local governments, Indian tribes, or nonfederal persons; and (2) agreements to manage areas established for the conservation of species that are candidates for listing. The bill exempts the actions of preparing, approving, and entering into an agreement from environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The departments may: (1) delegate authority under the ESA to states that establish and maintain an adequate program for the conservation of endangered or threatened species that reside in the state, and (2) provide financial assistance to a state that has entered into an agreement with the department or to a state with delegated authority.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Permit Reassurances Enabling Direct Improvements for Conservation, Tenants, and Species Act of 2018 or the PREDICTS Act of 2018 This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide statutory authority for requirements regarding habitat conservation plans, candidate conservation agreements, and safe harbor agreements. Those plans and agreements give nonfederal property owners incentives, such as assurances regarding resource use restrictions, if the owner contributes towards the recovery or conservation of an endangered species, a threatened species, or a species that is a candidate for listing as an endangered or threatened species. Under current regulations, a habitat conservation plan is required for entities to hold an incidental take permit for a project that may result in the incidental taking of an endangered or threatened species. Under candidate conservation agreements and safe harbor agreements, property owners enter into agreements with the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, to address the needs of endangered, threatened, or candidate species in exchange for assurances regarding resource use restrictions that might be imposed if circumstances change. Each incidental take permit, candidate conservation agreement, and safe harbor agreement must contain certain assurances governing permit revocation, changed circumstances, and unforeseen circumstances as prescribed by the bill. The departments may provide grants to individual private landowners to assist the landowners in carrying out candidate conservation agreements or safe harbor agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Less Imprecision in Species Treatment Act of 2018 or the LIST Act of 2018 This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to revise the process for removing a species from the endangered or threatened species lists. The Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, must remove a species from the endangered or threatened species lists if Interior produces or receives substantial scientific or commercial information demonstrating that the species is recovered or that recovery goals set for the species have been met. The publication and notice of a proposed regulation to remove a species from the lists must consist solely of a notice of the removal. The bill establishes a process for removing species from the lists if they were erroneously or wrongfully listed. The bill prohibits a person from submitting a petition to list a species as a threatened or endangered species for 10 years if the person knowingly submitted a petition with information that was inaccurate beyond scientifically reasonable margins of error, fraudulent, or misrepresentative.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Stop Takings On Reserves Antithetical to Germane Encapsulation Act of 2018 or the STORAGE Act of 2018 This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce from designating as critical habitat an area in a water storage, diversion, or delivery facility where habitat is periodically created and destroyed as a result of changes in water levels caused by the operation of the facility.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2018
Land Ownership Collaboration Accelerates Life Act of 2018 or the LOCAL Act of 2018 This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide statutory authority for programs that provide incentives for property owners of natural resources to agree to contribute towards the recovery or conservation of endangered or threatened species. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, to enter into: (1) species recovery agreements with property owners who agree to contribute towards the recovery of an endangered or threatened species; and (2) species conservation contract agreements with property owners who agree to contribute towards the conservation of an endangered species, a threatened species, a candidate species, or a species with a comparable designation under state law. The departments must establish a program under which the departments may enter into habitat reserve agreements with property owners to protect or manage habitat for endangered or threatened species. The departments: (1) may provide conservation grants to promote the voluntary conservation of endangered species and threatened species by property owners, (2) must provide financial aid to alleviate the costs of complying with the Act, and (3) may provide technical assistance when requested to enhance the conservation effects of the grants or aid. The bill establishes a Habitat Conservation Planning Loan Program under which the departments may make no-interest loans to assist states and local governments in the development of habitat conservation plans.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2018 or the GAAME Act of 2018 This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to specify that Title I funds (which support the instructional needs of students from low-income families) may be used for arts and music programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018
Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the border, including by increasing enforcement personnel. The bill provides funding for infrastructure, law enforcement, and border security, including funds for a border wall along the southern border. The bill provides for: (1) an Integrated Border Enforcement Team Program within DHS; (2) Tunnel Task Forces; (3) a pilot program on the use of electromagnetic spectrum to support border control operations; (4) a Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program; (5) construction of new border ports of entry; (6) a biometric exit data system at certain airports, seaports, and land ports of entry; (7) electronic passport screening and biometric matching; and (8) protections for children apprehended at the border from parental separation and for children in DHS custody. DHS may provide assistance to a foreign country to address migrant flows affecting the United States. DHS may provide six-year renewable contingent nonimmigrant status for certain aliens who were under the age of 16 when they first entered the United States. Adjustment to immigrant status is provided based on a point system. Children of long-term temporary foreign workers are also eligible for such status adjustment. DHS may designate certain groups as a criminal gang. Such individuals may not seek asylum, withholding of removal, or temporary protected status. Indemnification is provided for law enforcement entities sued for complying with DHS detainers. DHS detainer authority is revised. The bill creates a private right of action against a state or local jurisdiction that declines to honor a DHS detainer for a convicted illegal alien who then commits murder, rape, or sexual abuse of a minor. The bill eliminates: (1) the diversity visa program, (2) certain family-based visa categories, and (3) the per-country limit for employment-based immigrants. The per-country limit for family based-immigrants is increased. Asylum and visa screening provisions are revised.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018
Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act of 2018 or the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 and revises the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act. Among other changes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must publish its research report on its website. Additionally, the bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize certain educational programs about preterm birth to also include information relating to substance-use disorders, depression, and immunization.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018
Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation to amend regulations on hours of service for commercial drivers who transport live covered animals (i.e., livestock, honey bees, insects, fish, and crawfish) within a 300 air-mile radius from where the on-duty time of the driver begins. The regulations must: (1) exclude from the driver's on-duty time certain activities, such as loading or unloading a commercial motor vehicle; (2) change the driving time requirement to a maximum of not less than 15, and not more than 18, hours within a 24-hour period; (3) permit the driver to take one or more rest periods during the trip, which shall not be included in the calculation of the driving time; (4) require the driver, after completion of the trip, to take a rest break for a period that is five hours less than the maximum driving time; (5) exclude from the calculation of the driving time up to two additional hours, if the driver is within 150 air-miles of the point of delivery; and (6) make inapplicable the requirement that the driver take a 10-hour rest period before driving.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018
This bill reauthorizes the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act through FY2023. The Act provides services and support for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018
Recognizes that the national debt is a threat to national security and that deficits are unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous. Commits to restoring regular order to the appropriations process and immediately passing a balanced budget.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018
Agricultural Business Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018 This bill creates an exception to the electronic logging device requirements for certain motor carriers engaged in agricultural business.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018
Small Carrier Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018 This bill creates an exemption from electronic logging device requirements for motor carriers that own or operate 10 or fewer commercial vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018
School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize for FY2018-FY2023 school-based health centers (health clinics that provide physical and mental health services for children and adolescents during school hours).
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2018
Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2018 This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) require the labels of fuel pumps that dispense E15 fuel (fuel that contains 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline) to include additional details, such as warning information; and (2) implement a public education campaign concerning the risks associated with the improper use of E15 fuel in vehicles, engines, and equipment, such as boats, lawnmowers, and snowmobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2018
Burn Pits Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the military departments to evaluate whether each member of the Armed Forces has been (1) based or stationed where an open air burn pit was used to dispose of waste, or (2) exposed to toxic airborne chemicals. Members located where an open burn pit was used or exposed to toxic airborne chemicals must be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless the member elects not to enroll. The evaluations must be included in periodic health assessments, physical exams conducted immediately prior to separation from active duty, and deployment assessments. DOD must share the results of the evaluations with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2018
Better Energy Storage Technology Act of 2018 or the BEST Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish new goals for its energy storage program and enter into agreements to carry out at least three grid-scale energy storage demonstration projects. (The energy storage program supports the ability of the United States to remain globally competitive in energy storage systems for electric drive vehicles, stationary applications, and electricity transmission and distribution.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2018
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5444) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modernize and improve the Internal Revenue Service, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5445) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve cybersecurity and taxpayer identity protection, and modernize the information technology of the Internal Revenue Service.
![Official portrait of Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_wa_4_newhouse_dan_200.jpg)